PEWSEY man Jeremy Chappel has become the youngest member of the Devizes to Westminster 1,000 Mile Club after completing his eighth race at the weekend.
The 24-year-old, from Sharcott Drove, completed the 125 mile canoe race for the first time in 2008 as part of a junior doubles crew while at Marlborough College.
Since then he has competed every year and took part for the eighth time in the senior doubles race last weekend, with teammate Harry Armytage, crossing the finish line in Westminster with a personal best time of 23 hours 52 minutes.
Mr Chappel, who is a legal draftsman in Royal Wootton Bassett, said: “It was after the first race that I set myself the ambition of doing 1,000 miles.
“I am really proud to have reached this milestone, I did have problems finding a partner each year with a couple not knowing what they had really let themselves in for.
“My mum Davina has been on my support team every year, helping at every step, I don’t think I could have done it without her.”
The 1,000 Mile Club was introduced in 2011, as an honour recognising the achievements of those who had completed the race eight times, and at least four must be in the senior doubles.
Not including this year’s additions there are currently 64 members of the 1,000 mile club.
Mr Chappel has taken part twice in the junior doubles, twice in the senior singles and four times as part of a senior crew in the straight through race.
He completed his first straight through race in 2012 and in 2013 Mr Chappel paddled with former Marlborough College teammate Hamish Legge completing the race in 25 hours 47 minutes.
He said: “This was a desperately cold race and about 3mm of ice formed right across the boat and on our clothing during the night. This made conditions extremely challenging, but we still managed to complete the race.”
In 2014 he completed the race again with a time of 27 hours 28 minutes.
Mr Chappell, who lives with girlfriend Kate, has said he is not sure what his next challenge will be although he is keen mountain biker and hopes to spend more time on this.
He said: “I would like to continue canoeing but I think I’ll take a year off and go on holiday and give everyone a rest from canoeing.”
For all the results for this year’s DW race go to www.dwrace.org.uk/results/2015/Results/OverallClassResults
Race coverage: Pages 14 to 16
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here